Family watch in horror as man falls through frozen lake and dies after following his dog: The family of a walker watched in horror yesterday as he died in a frozen lake after following his dog.
He fell through ice and was in the water for 20 minutes before rescuers using a sled and raft managed to pull him free.
The man, believed to be 31, had been walking his dog with his family when he ventured onto the ice at Doggetts Fishing Lake in Rochford, Essex.
He walked along the surface for about 50 metres, then the ice gave way and he plunged into the freezing water below.
His shocked family called 999 and fire crews from Rochford, Southend and the specialist water rescue unit from Leigh rushed to the scene. Paramedics and the air ambulance were also sent.
Three firefighters from the specialist water rescue unit, using a sled and raft, went on to the lake in a bid to reach the man.
They made it to the hole in the ice and pulled out the man's body. They tried to resuscitate him immediately, as firefighters on the river bank pulled them to safety.
Paramedics had set up a makeshift treatment area and were waiting to treat the man once he had reached safety.
They tried to save him at the water's edge for about 15 minutes before he was taken to
Southend Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Assistant divisional officer Martyn Hodder, station commander at Southend fire station, said: 'The man had been in the water for in excess of 20 minutes.
'The remainder of the family were sensible enough not to venture on to the ice, otherwise it could have meant multiple rescues and fatalities for us.
'Using a special sled, the water rescue unit got to him very quickly and pulled him out. While the rescue was going on, medical teams were setting up on the bank and were ready to treat him.
'The whole incident was made very difficult because the man's family were on the bank. We made every effort to give the chap a chance.'
Firefighters have warned people to stay off icy lakes and rivers as freezing temperatures continue.
Mr Hodder said: 'If you want to stay alive, then stay off the ice. If a dog goes into the frozen water, although it's difficult, you have to leave them as most dogs manage to get themselves out.
And if a person goes in, call 999 and try to throw them something, such as a strong branch, which they could use to get themselves out.
'We can't tell people enough to stay off the ice. After 20 minutes in the water it no longer becomes a rescue, it becomes a body recovery.'
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